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Double Major and Dual Degree Options

Double Major in Science

Students who are approved in this double major option must satisfy all degree requirements of one specialization, including all Faculty of Science B.Sc. requirements. It may be possible to satisfy the Breadth Requirement, in part or whole, with the additional science courses taken for the second major. As far as the second major is concerned a student need only satisfy all specialization requirements at the 300-level or higher, and any lower-level requirements of that major that are not part of the first major.

Students intending to major in two areas must discuss their plan with academic advisors in both majors, preferably before the end of their first Winter Session, but definitely before the end of second year. Students contemplating a double major should endeavour to satisfy course prerequisites for both departments in their first two years. Normally students will be registered in the first major during second year and will apply to add the second major during second year (see the application form at Majors, Honours, and Minors). All double major options need the approval of advisors in both majors and the Director of the Science Information Centre. Applications will not be accepted once the student has gained fourth-year standing.

Entry into and continuation in a double major option requires that the student remain in good academic standing with an average of at least a C (60%) in each term.

No more than six upper-level credits that count toward the core requirements for the first major may be double-counted to fulfill requirements for the second major. See Double Counting and General Degree Requirements.

Students should be aware that in most cases it will not be possible to complete a double major in four years.

Double Major In Science and Arts

Students who are approved in this double major option must satisfy all degree requirements for a B.Sc. major in one specialization, including all Faculty of Science B.Sc. requirements. As far as the Arts major is concerned, a student need only satisfy the remaining requirements for the B.A. major (i.e., at least 42 and not more than 60 Arts credits in one subject or field of specialization, including at least 30 upper-level credits). Arts courses may satisfy requirements for the B.Sc. Students should endeavour to satisfy lower-level course prerequisites for both majors in their first two years.

All double major options need the approval of advisors in both majors and the Director of the Science Information Centre (see the application form). Applications will not be accepted before the student is established in a B.Sc. major in second year and will not be accepted once the student has gained fourth-year standing. Entry into, and continuation in, a double major option requires that the student remain in good academic standing with an average of at least a C (60%) in each term.

Students completing a B.Sc. major in one of the following disciplines may not also complete a B.A. major in the same field of major: behavioural neuroscience (psychology), cognitive systems, computer science, geographical sciences (geography), mathematics, mathematical sciences, mathematics and economics, and statistics and economics.

The B.A. Major in Music is available as a second major for a B.Sc. student, but it has limited access to performance courses. The Bachelor of Music is available through the Dual Degree Program in Science and Music.

Dual Degree in Science and Arts

This option offers qualified students the opportunity to earn a B.Sc. and a B.A. degree concurrently in most combinations of one science major specialization and one Arts major specialization. Most combinations can be completed in from four and one-half to five and one-half Winter Sessions. Students will not be adjudicated for graduation for one degree before requirements for both are complete.

Program Preparation

It is essential that students create a coherent academic plan prior to application. The Faculty of Arts may have specific requirements for admission and interested students should seek academic advising from both the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts before applying. Students seeking admission to the Dual Degree option should plan to satisfy lower-level course requirements for both degrees in their first two years, and should consult an academic advisor at least once annually.

Admission and Continuation

Applications will not be accepted before the student is established in a B.Sc. Major in second year and will not be accepted once the student has gained fourth-year standing. Admission to, and continued enrolment in, the Dual Degree requires maintenance of good academic standing and an average of at least a B- (68%) in each session. Admission to specializations within Science and Arts may be competitive and may require a separate application process. Admission to the Dual Degree option does not imply further admission to particular specializations. The Dual Degree option is not open to students with a previous degree. The application for admission to the option can be found on the Science website. Acceptance will be based on a review of both the applicant's transcript and a statement of academic purpose.

Students admitted to the Dual Degree program must complete a minimum of 144 credits, including at least 72 Science credits and at least 72 Arts credits. Both degrees must be completed within 180 attempted credits, including failures, and in no more than seven years of study, including Co-op terms and/or Go Global exchange.

Students must satisfy all faculty requirements for each degree as well as requirements for one specialization in the B.Sc. and one specialization in the B.A. degrees. Students may select one Science specialization at the Major, Honours, Combined Major or Combined Honours level and one Arts specialization at the Major or Honours level, but may not pursue additional specializations (e.g., a second major or a minor) in either Faculty. Individual courses may be considered to satisfy requirements for both specializations.

NOTE: Students pursuing a B.Sc. in one of the following disciplines may not also pursue a B.A. in the same field: behavioural neuroscience (psychology), cognitive systems, computer science, geographical sciences (geography), mathematics, and mathematical sciences. Students pursuing a B.Sc. Combined Major in Mathematics and Economics or Statistics and Economics may not also pursue a B.A. in Economics. Students pursuing a B.Sc. in Cognitive Systems (Computational Intelligence and Design or Cognition and Brain streams) will normally not be permitted to pursue a B.A. in any of the disciplines that together form the Cognitive Systems program (i.e., computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology).

Recognition of Academic Achievement

To assess a student’s eligibility for Dean’s Honour or Science Scholar designation in the B.Sc. or Dean’s List in the B.A. in the Dual Degree option, each Faculty will calculate the student’s average for Winter Session in two steps, using only percentage-graded credits. For the first calculation, the Faculty will use all credits registered under its own degree code, which must total no fewer than 12 credits, as well as the best credits registered under the other Faculty’s degree code. Together these must total no fewer than 27 credits, and the average earned must meet the minimum required for a particular standing in that Faculty’s degree program. If this standard is met, the Faculty will then calculate the student’s average using only those credits registered under its degree code. If this average also meets the minimum average required in that degree program, the appropriate notation will be made on the record. If either of these standards is not met, the notation will not be listed for the session under that degree. It is possible to earn a notation under either or both degrees in a single Winter Session and the recognition may be at different levels in the two degrees. Consult the relevant section in each Faculty for specific requirements.

Dual Degree in Science and Education

This concurrent option offers capable students in eligible specializations the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc., Major) and a Bachelor of Education degree (B.Ed.) in Secondary Education concurrently in five years. After completing all the requirements, students are normally eligible for a British Columbia Professional Teaching Certificate. Students must satisfy all of the degree and specialization requirements for both the major in the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Education Secondary program. Some individual courses may be considered to satisfy requirements for both degrees. Students will not be adjudicated for graduation for one degree before requirements for both are complete.

The Dual Degree in Science and Education is currently open only to students pursuing a major in mathematics or physics. For detailed descriptions of specialization requirements consult the Mathematics or Physics listings.

The Dual Degree option is not open to students with a previous degree.

Admission

Application for admission can be found on the Science website. Students apply in the fall of second year after gaining admission to the appropriate major program in Science and must receive approval from the Faculties of Science and Education. All students will initially be accepted on a provisional basis. Admission will be confirmed only after successful completion of year two and successful completion of the in-school practicum in May following second year. A criminal records check is required of all teacher candidates admitted to the B.Ed. program.

Admission at any time is conditional; maintenance of good academic standing and an average of at least 65% in each session are required throughout. Students who do not maintain a 65% average will be required to withdraw from Education, but may continue with the B.Sc. Major if they meet the continuation requirements.

Dual Degree in Science and Music

This option offers capable students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Music degree concurrently in most combinations of one Science (B.Sc.) major and one Music (B.Mus.) major. Most combinations can be completed in six winter sessions. Students will not be adjudicated for graduation for one degree before requirements for both are complete.

Admission to the B.Mus. program requires an
audition. Interested B.Sc. students must
consult a senior advisor in the School of Music at the time of application to UBC. Admitted B.Sc. students who are recommended by the School of Music may find the application for admission to the Dual Degree option on the Science website.

Acceptance into the option will be based on
the recommendation from the School of Music
and a review of both the applicant's transcript and a statement of academic purpose.

Registered first- or second-year B.Sc. students may apply to the Dual Degree option but they must meet the admission requirements of the School of Music. Applications from students with a higher year standing will not be considered.

Admission to specializations within Science
and Music may be competitive and admission
to the Dual Degree option does not imply
future admission to particular specializations.

The Dual Degree option is not open to
students with a previous degree.

Admission at any time is conditional;
maintenance of good academic standing and at least a 68% (B-) average in each term are required throughout. Students must satisfy all of the degree and specialization requirements for both the major in the Bachelor of Science and the major in the Bachelor of Music. Individual courses may be considered to satisfy requirements for both degrees; MUSC courses may satisfy the Arts and Breadth requirements for the B.Sc. major program. MUSC courses numbered below 300 may not count toward the upper-level credit requirement for the B.Sc. program.

Students should endeavour to satisfy lower-level course prerequisites for both specializations in their first two years. Students must communicate with an advisor in the Science Information Centre prior to enrolling in their first year of courses and at least annually thereafter.